Backpacking, Day Hiking & Navigation Course
Staying Found: On-Trail Navigation
This course is focused on learning and practicing key skills to maintain an ongoing awareness of where you are and how to find yourself if you get lost on even the most complicated trail system.
Contacts
- Tue, Apr 28, 2026 - Sun, May 17, 2026
- Committee: Foothills Navigation Committee
- Members: $75.00 Guests: $85.00
- Availability: 64 (64 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This course, tailored to on-trail adventurers, is designed to help students become confident reading a topographic map, using a compass and altimeter, and maintaining awareness of their location on a trail. Students will receive detailed information on skills and tools, as well as hands-on practice on the trail. Basic digital navigation instruction using Gaia will be included.
The course includes an evening online instructional seminar and a field trip held outdoors at Tiger Mountain State Forest. The field trip includes map and compass exercises, a trip planning exercise, and a hike to apply the skills you have learned. Students must complete all components to graduate from the class and receive an On-Trail Navigation badge.
Please select one field trip on May 2 or 3. The distances are similar, but the difficulty of the hikes vary. Your choices are:
- Easy Peasy: Easiest (DIFFICULTY LEVEL 1)
- Swamp Foot: Second easiest (DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2)
- Talus Rocks: Second hardest (DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3)
- Great Adventure: Hardest (DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4)
Badges you will earn:
On-Trail Navigation Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staying Found Fundamentals of On-Trail Navigation: Online Workshop | |||
| Online Classroom |
Tue, Apr 28, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
60
participants
12 instructors
|
|
| Staying Found Field Trip | |||
| Tradition Plateau Interpretive Shelter |
Sat, May 2, 2026 -
Sun, May 3, 2026 Registration closes Apr 30
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sat, May 2, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sat, May 2, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sat, May 2, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sat, May 2, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sun, May 3, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sun, May 3, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sun, May 3, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
| Tiger Mountain Lowlands |
Sun, May 3, 2026
Registration opens Jan 15; Instructor registration open now
|
9
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Low Impact Recreation
- (see Mountaineers Information Sheet)
- Green Trails Tiger Mountain map #204S
- Smartphone with GaiaGPS loaded
- Whistle or other emergency communication device
- #2 lead pencil to take notes
- Day pack or larger
- Outdoor gear, including footwear suitable to on-trail travel
